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Archive for the ‘Mountaineering’ Category
Black Diamond Equipment – Camalot Z4
Thursday, April 9th, 20207th SFG(A) Conducts High Angle Rescue Training
Wednesday, April 8th, 2020
Members of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conduct high angle rescue training on February 27, 2020, in Panama. The Soldiers were practicing how to tie knots and lift a litter up a cliff.
US Army photos by SGT Sean Hall and SPC Aaron Schaeper
Rock Exotica Aztek Full Block System
Monday, March 23rd, 2020The Rock Exotica Aztek Full Block system is an invaluable, multi-purpose tool for rescue and technical rope practitioners
It is a personal mechanical advantage kit which can be configured as a 5:1, or 4:1 with a re-direct by just rotating the system. The pulleys are machined from solid aluminum, feature swivel connection points, and utilize high efficiency bearings.
The system can be used as a pick off, adjustable directional, high directional guyline, high angle attendant tether, high angle litter scoop, load release hitch and much more.
The compact design makes it suitable for applications with headroom, such as Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), silo/manhole rescue, and use with tripods.
The Aztek is available in black for military and tactical operations.
For further information, please contact sales@helixoperations.com
helixtactical.com/Products/Hauling-Rigging/Pulley-Systems/Aztek-Full-Block-System
Brigantes Presents – Adventurous Training Front Runners
Wednesday, March 11th, 2020Each week we bring you products that should be considered on an AT kit list. This week it’s the Scarpa UK Manta Pro.
The Manta Pro is a tough mountain climbing boot for Scottish conditions and alpine summers.
Designed with UK mountain conditions in mind, the Manta is a perfect blend of durable boot building heritage and modern lightweight technology. The upper is a tough 2.8mm reversed suede giving great protection from the elements and long term durability, backed up with a Gore-Tex performance waterproof membrane. The microtech cuff is lightweight with great mobility giving a secure, neat fit around the ankle.
The Manta is built on the classic FT last, which has a little more volume, ideal for comfort on long Scottish walk-ins. The Vibram Pentax Precision sole unit is ideal for mountaineering, with a durable mont rubber compound and lugs spaced for mechanical grip, with a climbing zone for scrambling and via ferrata. The broad rubber rand runs from heel to toe and gives great durability against rocks, as well as reducing pressure from crampon bindings. The Manta is fully C2 crampon
compatible.
For more information contact international@brigantes.com
For UK sales contact warrior@brigantes.com
10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Cold Weather Training
Sunday, March 8th, 2020
Over the course of this winter, “The Originals” of 10th SFG(A) have conducted a wide variety of cold weather and mountaineering training both at their home base of Ft Carson, CO and in at various locations in Europe.
Black Diamond Equipment – Traction Devices
Tuesday, February 11th, 2020Black Diamond Equipment introduced a family of traction devices during the recent Outdoor Retailer Snow + Winter Market.
Designed in conjunction with their mountain athletes, these traction devices feature stainless steel spikes and are intended to be worn with approach/light hikers/mountain runners.
There are three models coming Fall 2020:
Their lightest model, the Blitz Spike weighs only 45 grams. There are six spikes at the forefoot.
The Distance Spike is for long distance running. It features a hybrid upper with softshell toe cap with a heel retention elastomer.
The Access Spike is their workhorse model, with tough rubber retention.
Marine Corps Cold Weather Clothing Evaluations
Monday, February 10th, 2020Not to be outdone by the Army, the US Marine Corps is evaluating upgrades to their Mountain Cold Weather Clothing & Equipment Program in Norway this Winter.
The MCWCP is a family of cold weather clothing items designed to support Marines operating in wet/cold and dry/cold or mountainous environments with a threshold temperature range from 4.4 to -31.6 °C (40 to -25 °F) when used as a system. The objective temperature range extends down to -37.2°C
Specifically, they are looking at product improvements to Level 1 and 3. They are also exploring mesh underwear for level 1. For Level 3 they want to enhance wicking/moisture transport and drying time and to decide whether it should be wool or synthetic.
There’s a Softshell uniform solution for insulation being evaluated as well. It is quick drying and more breathable than APECS meaning less sweat buildup and condensation inside the garment.
The Marines are also looking at a new balaclava and Extreme Cold Weather Cap as well as handwear systems.
Their handwear evaluation includes a Contact Glove, Intermediate Cold Weather Glove, Extreme Cold Weather Mitten, and Inserts.
Additionally, the Marines are apparently evaluating the Norwegian cold weather “system” which is actually a collection of cobbled together items. Considering the Norwegians are currently in source selection along with Denmark, Finland, and Sweden for the Nordic Combat Uniform, the Marines’ efforts seem to be a waste of time. Even the Norwegians know their clothing needs to replaced so you wonder if it’s not a throwaway, in order to validate current Marine systems as superior.
At any rate, data collected across all efforts will help shape the future of MCWCEP.
10th Mountain Soldiers Test New Cold Weather Gear
Monday, February 10th, 2020This article from the 10th Mountain Division discusses the testing of new Army cold weather clothing systems. It’s important to note that CTAPS is a material and not a design program. Natick has been evaluating different materials from industry but has specified the cut of the clothing components. In the lab, the Army’s effort is called Regionally Aligned Combat Ensemble – Arctic or RACE-A. After the article we’ve included Army Future Command slides depicting cold weather clothing evaluated over the past few years along with what’s next.
A select number of 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers received new, prototype cold-weather gear at Fort Drum, N.Y. Jan. 23, 2020. Soldiers testing the gear will provide feedback on the durability, dexterity, tactility, ability to stay dry, and drying time so that any necessary improvements can be made.
Among the gear issued were six different variants of Cold Weather Glove Systems, new cold weather boots, three variants of cold-weather over boots, a cold weather sock system, as well as a canteen and canteen cup with two different designs for a canteen holder.
The different glove systems were briefly tested when issued to see if Soldiers could properly load and fire a simulated round and apply a tourniquet to a simulated casualty in a timely fashion. Soldiers were instructed to wear the gloves outdoors as much as possible for the evaluation team to get an accurate program of record for the Cold Weather Glove Systems.
A few Soldiers also received the prototype Cold Temperature and Arctic Protection System, or CTAPS for short. CTAPS is an innovative multi-layer system that aims to keep Soldiers warmer in cold weather environments, spanning from 45 degrees Fahrenheit to -65 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Overall, everybody has liked what they’ve seen so far,” said Kate Young, a textile technologist with the Soldier and Clothing Configuration Management Team.
The next step is for the Soldiers to test CTAPS during training to get feedback from them after they’ve used the gear for a while, Young said.
CTAPS is designed to be lighter weight, more durable, and more comfortable for Soldiers. The system features a longer jacket and more high-waisted trousers to keep Soldiers warmer while moving and to aid in the ease of their movement. They also have no-melt no-drip next-to-skin layers to prevent skin injury in the event of a fire, and moisture management throughout all layers. CTAPS is intended to be more functional and an improvement over the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS).
“I feel that it’s sensible,” said Staff Sgt. John Philadelphia, one of the Soldiers who received CTAPS. “I feel comfortable, and I feel confident in it.”
By PFC Anastasia Rakowsky
Slides:
Information on new Cold Weather Canteen
